Eatery has new owners, plans for menu changes

Published: Thursday, June 13, 2013 at 04:04 PM.

SHELBY -- Newt’s Modern Burger has new owners -- and plans for new menu items.

Cleveland County natives Chet and Sasha Beam recently took over the uptown Shelby eatery, formerly owned by Chris Canoutas, who also owns Pleasant City Wood Fired Grille.

The Beams have a background in food service and say they are excited to bring new items to the table, while also keeping some of the items for which Newt’s is well known.

The owners plan to keep all the burgers on the menu for now but will remove some of them in the coming weeks.

“We will in the next few weeks make some changes,” Sasha said. “We want to be able to offer more than just a burger or a hot dog, something more upscale, but without the price.”

Expanding the restaurant's appeal to a broader set of customers is their goal, she said. They don’t want to just serve the meat lover, but also those who might want salads or more healthy options like sandwiches and wraps.

“We are also planning on expanding our milkshake menu quite a bit,” she said.

SHELBY -- Newt’s Modern Burger has new owners -- and plans for new menu items.

Cleveland County natives Chet and Sasha Beam recently took over the uptown Shelby eatery, formerly owned by Chris Canoutas, who also owns Pleasant City Wood Fired Grille.

The Beams have a background in food service and say they are excited to bring new items to the table, while also keeping some of the items for which Newt’s is well known.

The owners plan to keep all the burgers on the menu for now but will remove some of them in the coming weeks.

“We will in the next few weeks make some changes,” Sasha said. “We want to be able to offer more than just a burger or a hot dog, something more upscale, but without the price.”

Expanding the restaurant's appeal to a broader set of customers is their goal, she said. They don’t want to just serve the meat lover, but also those who might want salads or more healthy options like sandwiches and wraps.

“We are also planning on expanding our milkshake menu quite a bit,” she said.

They plan to add some special options as well, including beer floats and “adult milkshakes" containing alcohol.

The restaurant will soon have a grand opening celebration with the Cleveland County Chamber.

Beam said of her husband, Chet, “He has always had a passion for food service, being in the kitchen and creating.”

She said their parents are now very involved in helping out at the restaurant.

“We have had a lot of support from our church family and friends,” said Beam. “We are very confident in what we want to do for the community.”

What will change at Newt's?

-A new $6 lunch menu. Prices will move to $6.95 for dinner.

-A build-your-own-salad menu, giving customers the option to build their salad from the ground up.

-Monday is no longer a $5 burger day, but the $5 special will continue on Wednesdays.

-One burger will be on special every day for $5.

-The new menu will include new sandwiches and wraps, with gourmet options like beef and mango, avocado smoked turkey and California wraps. It will be available Monday through Friday.

-Lunch will start earlier, at 10:30 a.m. instead of 11 a.m.

Reach Molly Phipps at 704-669-3339, at mphipps@shelbystar.com or on Twitter @MollyAPhipps.